Warner Music Group (WMG) has hired Jeff Bronikowski (pictured left) in the role of Senior Vice President, Global Business Development/Head of New Technology & Innovation.
In a dual strengthening of its business development team, the major has also promoted Tracy Gardner (pictured right) to Senior Vice President, Global Business Development and Strategy.
Both report to Ole Obermann, EVP, Business Development & Chief Digital Officer. This announcement follows news in April of Michael Drexler and Allan Coye joining the Business Development team as Vice Presidents.
“The continued expansion of our business development team underscores the important role music is playing in the adoption of new and emerging technologies,” said Obermann.
“Jeff brings a combination of deep understanding of the digital music landscape and experience in adjacent businesses such as streaming video, at a time when we are diversifying our revenues and creating more innovative ways to connect fans with artists and their music.
“The continued expansion of our business development team underscores the important role music is playing in the adoption of new and emerging technologies.”
Ole Obermann, WMG
“Tracy is a valued, strategic leader who has a proven track record of negotiating groundbreaking deals, and has developed a sophisticated understanding of the streaming space.
“In addition, her time in London has provided her with a unique insight into international markets. These two appointments will further enable Warner Music to act as the fast moving, independent-minded major.”
Bronikowski, based in New York, is tasked with ‘forging business opportunities and strategic alliances that advance WMG’s Business Development strategy, with an emphasis on new technology and formats’.
He will assess avenues for pairing music with video content, virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and other emerging technologies. Prior to joining WMG, he held leadership positions at Tribeca Shortlist, IAC, The Echo Nest, AOL, and Universal Music Group.
Gardner, based in London, will continue to ‘evolve WMG’s global strategy for the audio and video streaming space’.
She will also drive negotiations and business relationships with key digital service providers.
Gardner joined WMG in 2011 as part of the Digital Legal Affairs team in New York and since that time has been promoted to various roles, most recently as Vice President, Digital Strategy and Global Business Development.
Prior to joining WMG, she was an associate in the Intellectual Property group at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.Music Business Worldwide
